In response to the escalating AFL-CIO state-based campaign to mandate health insurance coverage, The National Association of Manufacturers today warned that such “back-door policies” only create more dilemmas in an already troubling health care system.
“This is the AFL-CIO's attempt to get national health care by the back door and on the cheap,” said Neil Trautwein, NAM assistant vice president of human resources policy. “The rising cost of health care coverage is one of the biggest business challenges today. However, these legislative proposals constitute ill-advised public policy and only shift responsibility while leaving the current problems unsolved.
“The best way to ensure affordable, quality health care is addressing the issue at hand: an unresponsive and under-performing health care system,” said Trautwein. “We need reforms, but in the form of increased transparency, affordability and disease prevention.”
The NAM, which supports employer health benefits and consumer-driven programs, stressed that the decision to offer these benefits should remain voluntary.